The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Madam Xiao's smile vanished, and she said with an awkward laugh, "Your Highness is joking... Of course not."

If these words were to reach His Majesty's ears, it would inevitably affect Grand Commandant Xiao's impression on His Majesty, so how could she dare to admit it?

Yun Jin stopped looking at her and turned to Xiao Ya behind her, saying calmly, "That's good. Since Lord Xiao doesn't judge right and wrong based on personal relationships, Madam Xiao naturally shouldn't protect her son based on personal relationships either. In that case, Madam Xiao, why don't you ask your daughter if her words and actions just now were appropriate?"

Madam Xiao gritted her teeth, turned to Xiao Ya and said, "Ya'er, no matter what happened just now, apologize to the county princess."

Xiao Ya suddenly raised her head, wanting to say something, but met her mother's warning gaze, and opened her mouth as if to say something.

Yun Jin spoke first in a detached tone: "Madam Xiao, the way you're saying this makes it sound like I'm abusing my power to force your daughter to apologize. There's no need for an apology."

She turned to Gao Shan and said calmly, "Miss Gao was present the whole time. You saw everything Miss Xiao said and did clearly. If I were to ask Imperial Censor Gao about today's events later, I'm sure Miss Gao would be willing to tell your father the whole truth."

Gao Shan was suddenly called out by Yun Jin, and she shuddered.

If this matter really escalates to my father's level today, I will definitely not come out on good terms.

Besides, she and Xiao Ya were in the wrong first today. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said humbly, "Princess, there's no need to ask my father. I admit that Xiao Ya and I were wrong just now. We were inappropriate in our words and should have paid our respects to the Princess according to the rules."

Having said that, she tugged at Xiao Ya's sleeve, then bowed to Yun Jin first, and said loudly, "Gao Shan greets Princess Ninghai."

Xiao Ya bit her lip, but finally bent down and squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: "Xiao Ya... greets Princess Ninghai."

Yun Jin sat there, accepting the two men's greetings with a clear conscience.

This time, she didn't tell them to get up, so the two of them remained kneeling and dared not move.

Madam Xiao watched from the side, knowing that her daughter must have said something inappropriate, otherwise, given her personality, she would never have backed down.

After several breaths, Yun Jin slowly spoke: "No need for formalities. Miss Gao, Miss Xiao, no matter how much you look down on me, I am, after all, a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty. I hope you will not forget the proper etiquette when you meet in the future."

Xiao Ya straightened up, gritted her teeth and said, "Is that enough?" Before Yun Jin could answer, she turned around and quickly left the side hall.

Gao Shan glanced at Yun Jin awkwardly, bowed to her again, and whispered, "Princess, this humble woman takes her leave," before hurriedly chasing after her.

Yun Jin then turned to Madam Xiao, who was preparing to leave, and said with a slight smile, "Madam Xiao, Miss Xiao considers herself a noble lady of the capital, yet she barely manages to perform even the most basic etiquette. It seems that Madam Xiao should give her a proper lesson when she returns."

Madam Xiao's facial muscles twitched slightly as she stared at Yun Jin. After a long while, she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Princess Ninghai, I hope you can continue to sit firmly in this position of Princess Ninghai."

Yun Jin looked at her with a smile and said calmly, "Thank you for Madam Xiao's kind words. I, the county princess, will certainly not disappoint you."

Madam Xiao glared at her fiercely, then turned and chased after Xiao Ya.

Watching her disheveled figure, Chen Mengyao turned around, gave Yun Jin a thumbs-up, and whispered, "Jin-meimei, you were really impressive just now!"

Yun Jin shook her head helplessly: "Sister Mengyao, please stop teasing me. If it weren't for you supporting me, I wouldn't have had the courage."

"Don't give me that. I'm just adding icing on the cake; you're the one who's really going all out." Chen Mengyao laughed and gave her a push.

Chu Wanqing, on the other side, watched the whole scene unfold from beginning to end. Only after Madam Xiao turned and left did she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Wang took in her reaction, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Wanqing, you still don't understand your daughter."

Chu Wanqing was slightly taken aback, then turned to look at her: "Why do you say that, sister? Is there something I don't know?"

Madam Wang leaned closer to her and lowered her voice, saying, "Do you know that when Yao'er ran away to Yizhou and was kidnapped by villains on the street, it was Jin'er who single-handedly rescued her?"

Chu Wanqing's eyes widened in disbelief. "Sister, tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

Wang lowered her voice and briefly recounted how Chen Mengyao encountered danger in Yizhou and how Yun Jin single-handedly stormed the bandit's den to rescue her.

Of course, she gave a different version, since the story of Chen Mengyao being forced to become Liu Sanlaizi's concubine was something that couldn't be told.

Even so, Chu Wanqing was stunned for a long while after hearing this before she murmured, "This girl... why has she never mentioned these things to me before?"

Madam Wang gently patted the back of her hand and said softly, "Jin'er is a woman of her own mind; she has her reasons for not speaking up. But Wanqing, in the future, you can discuss things with her more often. This child is much more courageous than you think."

Chu Wanqing's gaze passed over the many figures and landed on Yun Jin, who was chatting and laughing quietly with Chen Mengyao by the window. She nodded thoughtfully.

Wang stopped there and didn't bring it up again.

Yun Jin was chatting and laughing quietly with Chen Mengyao when she suddenly heard a woman's voice behind her: "Mengyao, it's been so long! Didn't you miss me?"

Hearing the voice, Chen Mengyao turned around and immediately stood up in surprise to greet her: "Sister Yuerong, you're here too! I thought you weren't going to the palace today, and I was just thinking of going back to your residence to talk to you."

Yun Jin also stood up and saw a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen years old standing in front of Chen Mengyao.

The young woman exchanged a few words with Chen Mengyao, then her gaze fell on Yun Jin, and she smiled slightly, saying, "This must be the Princess of Ninghai County?"

Yun Jin didn't recognize her and glanced at Chen Mengyao.

Chen Mengyao quickly introduced with a smile: "Jin-meimei, this is Yue Rong, whom I often mention to you. She is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Dingbei."

Yun Jin quickly curtsied and said, "Yun Jin greets Sister Yue Rong. Sister Meng Yao often mentions you, saying that you are generous and kind. I have long wanted to get to know you, and today I finally meet you."

Zhou Yuerong quickly returned the greeting, took Chen Mengyao's hand and walked over to sit down. Then she smiled and looked at Yun Jin, saying, "I've often heard people mention the County Princess. Seeing her today, I can see that the rumors are indeed untrue."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin saw the 0.48 favorability rating above her head and knew she meant no harm. She smiled and said, "Sister, is there a rumor that I'm a jinx, and whoever gets involved with me will be unlucky?"

Zhou Yuerong raised an eyebrow and smiled, "That's why I said the rumors are false. My sister is clearly blessed by heaven. You fell from such a high cliff and came out unharmed. Tell me, who else in the entire capital has such luck? This isn't a jinx, it's clearly a lucky star shining upon you."

Chen Mengyao nodded, and said indignantly, "That's right, those who spread those rumors are just jealous of my sister."

Zhou Yuerong wholeheartedly agreed and turned to Yun Jin, saying, "Indeed, the prescription for treating the cold plague that you presented, sister, has saved the lives of many soldiers. You are a truly benevolent person; otherwise, why would His Majesty have personally bestowed upon you the title of County Princess?"

After these few words, the atmosphere among the three immediately relaxed, and they began to chat about everyday things.

Before we knew it, it was already past 9 AM.

Several palace maids stood at the entrance of the side hall, and a eunuch announced loudly, "His Majesty and the Empress are about to arrive at the main hall. Ladies and young ladies, please follow the guidance of the palace maids and enter the hall in order to pay your respects."